WIBA Announces Excellence Awards� Nominees

Pauline Dikuelo | Monday July 27, 2015 15:00

The awards, which will be held on August 23, 2015 will see the overall businesswoman of the year winner walk with P50, 000 courtesy of Stanbic Bank.

The bank sponsored the awards to a tune of P150, 000 over three consecutive years.

President of WIBA Tumi Mbaakanyi said the businesswoman of the year’ accolade seeks to recognise the outstanding achievements of women led business across the country. The overall winner will be selected from the five award categories, which include awards in innovation, social entrepreneurs’ award, inspiration woman and the informal business award.

Mbaakanyi said the WIBA Excellence Awards aim to promote the organisation’s mandate of developing women and to reward WIBA members who have taken noteworthy initiatives their business goals.

They also aim to encourage competitive women-led business whose existence strives on excellence to fully penetrate not only the local market but also regional and international markets.

Lady Vanessa hair salon, which is owned by Jacqui Tlale together with Sprint Couriers spearheaded by Michelle Gabriel and Pinky Setlalekgosi as well as Living Guest House by Oakeng Lebang and Trish Holdings owned by Patricia Malau and Bagopi have been nominated for the innovation award.

The Innovator of the year award nominees includes

The A Girls by Bakani Johnson, who owns the Agirls dolls and Young Chefs Academy by One Modisana.  Sweet Candy Buffet by Rebecca Nkalanga, Collections and Young Chefs Academy has been nominated under the Young Female entrepreneur of the year award.

Farmers Natural Produce by Julia Farmer and Dudu Brook’s Quilting Loft has been nominated in the social entrepreneur of the year award category. Mary’s Nurseries run by Mary Israel and Akanyang Doris Ntshingane, have been nominated under the informal businesswoman of the year award.

Voting will begin next week where members of the public will get a chance to vote for their favourite category winners. The voting will close on August 20, 2015. Mazars Audit firm has been roped in to ensure that the competition is run smoothly.

WIBA was established in 1990 as a wing extension of Botswana Confederation Commerce and Industry (BOCCIM).

It exists to facilitate adoption of specific laws that encourage women entry into business and support sustainability of women-owned businesses.